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STATION AT FOREST HILLS GARDENS 



The Station is constructed of brick and concrete with tile roof 
and cost $50,000, of which the Railroad paid $10,000, the De- 
velopment Companies paying the balance. 
Forest Hills Inn, opposite the station, is of similar construe 
tion, and cost three quarters of a million. 



j^9'AJ^<^^VA C 1 



WHY 

WE HAV^E CHOSEN 

FOREST HILLS 
GARDENS 

FOR OUR HOME 




FOREST HILLS GARDENS-N'Y 
MCM'XV 






There is no single factor that exerts a more powerful influence 
upon our minds or molds our outlook in life more perceptibly 
than our surroundings. Our mental attitude is largely a reflec- 
tion of our environment; if we live amid pleasant and cheerful 
surroundings our characters become optimistic ^ self-reliant 
and we are better equipped to solve the complex problems 
of our modern existence than those w^ho through circum- 
stance or necessity live in less favorable habitation. 

— The CoLORisT 



r 



COPYRIGHT 191 5 
BY WILL PHILLIP HOOPER 



(DCI.A40816 2 



JUN30I9I5 



BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION 

HE outer suburbs of any city 
where lately quiet farms existed^ 
too often consist of files of hard- 
featured houses multiplied in 
formal roivs. That great cities 
sho u Id produce offshoots and new 




centers of population is an indication of national 
well-beings but cannot worthy instead of unworthy 
houses be built ^ and so disposed that trees and wood- 
land places remain; houses to be designed and 
grouped in proper relation to one another ^ so that 
each should form part of a well-considered and har- 
monious scheme"^ 

The pages following are intended to answer a 
question frequently asi<ed of the residents of Forest 
JTills Gardens^ and to answer incidentally the 
question in the preceding paragraph. 




WEST SIDE TENNIS CLUB 




GREENWAY TERRACE DURING THE INTERNATIONAL 
TENNIS TOURNAMENT 



B E CAU S E 

We sought a home far from the noise of the city, but close 
to its advantages; and found it in Forest Hills, where the 
united efforts of the town — the planner, the architect and 
the landscape gardner have created a village of rare charm. 

Anna C. Price 

Reali2;ing that New York City was not an ideal place in 
which to bring up children and casting about for a suburb 
w^ithin reasonable distance of the Metropolis, Forest Hills 
Gardens w^as suggested as having many advantageous fea' 
tures. A residence of nearly three years has more than con' 
firmed the favorable impression gained by first inspection. 

C. C. Close 

I thought I was happy, flopping around in one New York 
apartment after another, until I came out to Forest Hills— 
and then I began to feel sorry for myself When I went back 
to New York that night a large, well developed idea had its 
arms around my neck. A w^eek later I came back, and now 
we have a dumb waiter and two speaking tubes — and com' 
ing out of an evening I begin to thrill before the guard gets 
the door open. Homer Croy 

I came to Forest Hills Gardens because I had seen other dc 
velopments wither and die before they grew to manhood — 
and I felt sure that the Sage millions would not fail. There 
fore, I felt it w^as a "safe buy.'' Because the moment I stepped 
from the train onto the Station'platform and saw^ the tow^er, 
the red roofs, the trees, the vines and the flowers — I knew 
that it was the place of which I had dreamed. Because I 
w^anted to get out of an apartment and into the open, w^here 
my boys could play in safety and w^here I myself could keep 
on being a boy; and yetw^herewe could still have the advan' 
tage of the city. Fm glad I came. 

John H. Hazleton 




THE GARDENS CLUB 



Why did I come to Forest Hills? Because it is one great garden 
of artistic uniformity with the people, the homes, the flowers 
and the song birds and the artist reali2,es his ideal dwelling 
place. 

George Dostel, Bohemian' American Tenor 



I came here because I did not know where else to go. I stay 
here, because, now^ that I know the place and people, I w^ould 
not go anyw^here else. 

Frederic R. Seward 



I moved to Forest Hills Gardens because it w^as the only 
place w^here my family could get the pure air, sunshine, trees 
and green grass of the country so essential to permanent good 
health and happiness, be within a quarter of an hour of the 
center of New York and have assurance of the high quality 
of the development, houses, streets, etc., and of satisfactory 
neighbors, all at a reasonable cost. 

S. W. ECKMAN 




ONE OF THE TENNIS COURTS 

One day in August two years ago I wanted the experience 
of riding through the Pennsylvania Tunnel. I set out from 
Herald Square. Fifteen minutes later I saw Forest Hills Gar- 
dens ; two hours later I was a permanent guest at the Inn ; 
two weeks later I bought a lot; in less than a year I occupied 
my house. It was a simple case of finding the right place. 

Walter C. Hart wig 

We selected Forest Hills Gardens for a home — first, because 
w^e had a grow^ing boy; second, because we had a business 
in New York. We owed the boy a suburban life. We owed 
ourselves the shortest route to business. The Pennsylvania 
Terminal was also an advantage, as business frequently took 
us West. Besides these things the town w^as attractively laid 
out, well kept and well lighted. Its air and water were good 
and its class of residents desirable. 

C. HUESTON GOUDISS 



I came to Forest Hills Gardens for the mental and physical 
enjoyment of living in a community of unrivalled attractive- 
ness. Also for the reason of its accessibility to the heart of 
Manhattan, and all improvements being originally installed 
there can be no city assessments. Thos. H. Todd 




PURITAN AVENUE 



I preferred to buy of a company that sells land as the Gov 
ernment sells postage stamps; a company to which the 
shrewdest buyer must pay the same price as the man ignor- 
ant of realty values. John Curtis 

I was draw^n as the needle to the magnet by the name "Sage.""' 
Here I knew there would be a square deal, and experience 
compels me to say all promises have been kept. As a stamp- 
ing ground for the children Forest Hills Gardens seemed ideal. 
Have already been offered considerably more for my house 
than it cost. B. B. Kendrick 

You ask why I bought a home in the Gardens and to tell why 
in a few words. Can't do it. "Reasons why" are too many. 
One however is: Houses usually, in ten years are no longer 
modern, and are unsalable. Houses in Forest Hills Gardens 
will be as modern and more valuable fifty years hence than 
now. W. H. Deghuee 




WHITEST ACKS HOUSE OF BOARDMAN ROBINSON 

We were first attracted to Forest Hills by the well paved, 
winding streets, reasonable restrictions, unusual accessibility 
to New York and convenient financial arrangements. We 
built a house here. We have no regrets. 

BoARDMAN Robinson 

I selected Forest Hills Gardens for my home because after 
looking at many other suburban developments I found it 
more accessible, attractive and homelike than any other 
suburban community. It nearer approaches " Spotless Town" 
than any other residence section. Frank C. Kays 

A case of atavism I guess. I think my ancestors must have 
been hylobates, and through some reversion to type, the 
sylvan and artistic lure of the Gardens in Forest Hills was 
too much for me, especially as I thought I had found a de- 
velopment company which would give me a square deal, 
the worth of my money and not lose interest in me when my 
pocket book had been cleaned out. So far I have not been 
disappointed. A. Latham Baker 




DEEPDENE ROAD. GOUDY AND HULBERT HOUSES 



The desire to live on a road with individual characteristics, 
with wayside greens and flow^ers, to have unrestricted views 
of distant country, trees with birds to sing in them, and space 
for our own flow^ers and garden, fresh air and a home — For' 
est Hills Gardens seemed to offer all these. After living here 
eighteen months w^e find even more than these — congenial 
neighbors and friends with mutual tastes. 

Frederic W. Goudy 

We were looking for an attractive, economical home with 
some ground around it in a beautiful location convenient to 
the heart of New York City; and, impossible as it may seem, 
we found everything, just as we wanted it, in Forest Hills 
Gardens. William Roswell Hulbert 

We selected Forest Hills Gardens on account of its artistic, 
homelike and sanitary development, its proximity to New 
York and excellent train service. Likewise, the liberal policy 
of the Sage Foundation is attractive, enabling one to acquire a 
home on a moderate investment. John J. Sheahan 



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A GARDEN CORNER 

Because it offered us so many amusing and substantial things 
— a well built house, intelligently planned; an enchanting 
garden and dogwood trees all our ow^n; satisfying neighbors, 
a restful absence of hideous placards and flyspecked shops, 
a comfortable permanence — all these things. And these make 
excuse for great pride of ownership. What more could one 
wish? Ruby Ross Goodnow 



We do not know why we selected Forest Hills Gardens for 
our home, but we are glad that we came. John Brewer 

I had a thousand reasons for wanting to get out of the City. 
The most important ones were, perhaps, to live away from 
the brick walls and germ laden dust of the city, in a select, re 
stricted community, within a half hour of Madison Square, 
where my children could grow up breathing pure air and en' 
joying the advantages of the city and the freedom of the 
country. That's what I found at Forest Hills Gardens and 
that's why I am here. W. F. Mohan 




THE WASHBURN HOUSE 

We selected Forest Hills Gardens chiefly through a love of 
beauty, in the desire to have aesthetic surroundings for our 
home and in the belief that the plan of the Sage Foundation 
Homes Company assured better results in that regard than 
could be found elsewhere. Israel A. Washburne 

We v/ere first interested because of its accessibility to New^ 
York, and it seemed to promise something more interesting 
than the usual suburban development. We were among the 
first — the pioneers, and have found all that we hoped and 
more. Jessup 



We felt the country calling us and when we heard of the 
Sage Foundation development at Forest Hills we said "That's 
it; it's near back to the land, yet near Broadway" and so 
weVe found it — and much more. E. G. Trowbridge 




MR. HOOPER S GARDEN, ON GREENWAY SOUTH 

After looking in the vicinity of New York for six years to 
find a place for a home, after buying lots in two localities, I 
finally decided that Forest Hills Gardens was my choice, be 
cause I liked the place, the people and the prospects. The 
place — because it's beautiful; the people — because they're 
interesting; the prospect — because property w^ill increase in 
value. Will Phillip Hooper 

Because I had confidence in the Sage Foundation Homes Co. 
and haven't been disappointed; and because thirteen minutes 
on the Long Island Railroad is better than three minutes on 
the subway. R. W. Waddell 



It was clearly a matter of its character, its genuineness, evi- 
dent in the first announcement of the plans — chanced upon 
in idle newspaper reading. From the announcement stood out 
indubitably the American suburbanite's apotheosis of dreams, 
the real thing. The rest followed, the complacent satisfaction 
of one of the oldest inhabitants. Hartley LeH. Smith 




SHORT HILL ROAD 



Because after spending months in looking around within a 
radius of twenty miles of Greater New York to pick out a 
permanent home, I found no place to compare with it. Be 
cause Manhattan Island is less than twenty minutes by elec 
trie train or auto, and thirtyfive minutes by trolley. Because 
the atmosphere of the w^hole place is congenial. Because life 
is worth Hving in Forest Hills Gardens. 

H. B.Jagoe 



Among the various reasons which decided us to choose For' 
est Hills Gardens for an abiding place are : Its bracing air tem- 
pered by the sea, the excellent water, the uniqueness and 
harmony of the architecture and the flowers blooming every 
where. All the charm of the open country is here and yet so 
near the metropolis. 

Harold P. Bogart 




THE ROUNTREE HOUSE 

A friend used to bore me with wonderful stories about the 
beauty, convenience and general superiority of Forest Hills 
Gardens. So, to prove him wrong, I came out here one after- 
noon. Within half an hour I was explaining to him that he 
didn t half appreciate the place. And now after having lived 
here for over two years, my wife and I feel w^e are in the 
right place on account of the convenient location, the beau' 
tiful surroundings, and above all, the good people weVe 
met here. H. B. Rountree 



Forest Hills Gardens is truly a livable place. Congenial and 
cultured friends, beautiful and artistic environs. Only a few 
minutes to the hub of New York. All the conveniences of 
metropolitan life, w^ith the comforts and attractions of a 
home in the country. Contentment and Forest Hills Gardens 
go hand in hand. W. L. Harriss 




OLIVIA PARK 



Because in the New York flat there was only an imitation 
fire place. We wanted a real fire place, and the chimneys in 
Forest Hills Gardens looked as though they would draw (and 
they do). And then, too, w^e w^anted sunshine and the flowers 
in the Gardens seemed to invite sunshine. Indeed, the land' 
scape beauty of the Gardens decided us and here we are, 
commuters and contented. 

Robert C. Adams 



After spending several years as a "cliff dweller" in New York 
apartments I decided that I w^anted to stop existing and live 
instead. Quick communication with the City was a necessity 
and after a careful investigation of all the developments I de' 
cided that Forest Hills Gardens exactly met my requirements, 
and I have not been disappointed. 

E. VanWagenen 



Mrs. Merwin and I choose to live in Forest Hills Gardens 
because, thanks to the astonishingly swift train service, it 
keeps our children in the country and ourselves in town. 

Samuel Merwin 

Mrs. Stowe and I selected Forest Hills Gardens as our place 
of residence because we regarded it, all things considered, as 
the most attractive and satisfactory location available to us 
within easy access to the City. We are now sure we were 
right. Lyman Beecher Stowe 

Forest Hills Gardens was my choice for home building be- 
cause it is near enough to the country to permit amateur 
gardening, and close enough to the city for business, shopping 
and amusements, also permanent and constantly increasing 
realty values. Lillian Dynevor Rice 

To live in Forest Hills now is to be one of the creators of a 
town. Here the adventure of coloni2;ing is freed of its ancient 
hardships. We are pilgrim Fathers and Mothers, etc., and we 
raise our own May flowers. No rooster wakes us in the early 
morn — we do our own crowing. Robert J. Cole 

Our small daughter, though not talkative at ten months, per' 
suaded us to invest her future in Forest Hills Gardens. We 
found interest coming in at once in health, m mental and phy- 
sical elbow room, in helpful association with pleasant folk. 
And all without that ghastly rebate the average commuter is 
forced to pay in "suburbani2;ation." Ralph E. Renaud 

I came to Forest Hills Gardens, after visiting pradtically all the 
regulation "suburban developments" around New York, be- 
cause from the first Forest Hills promised to be something 
genuine — a really model town, beautiful indoors and out, an 
oasis of woods and quiet and recreation within a few minutes 
of the center of the city, a place in a hundred ways attractive 
to bright and thinking people, and certain to be made doubly 
attractive by them. It is all of that now, and can only become 
more charming in the future. Arthur E. McFarlane 




THE TAYLOR HOUSE 

I came to Forest Hills Gardens in search of the ideal and 
found it — all the advantages of suburban life without its 
disadvantages; only fifteen minutes to the shopping and 
theatrical distrid: of New York by clean elediric trains, and 
forty minutes by trolley with five cent fare; a short ride to 
one of the finest beaches on the coast; w^ell paved and kept 
streets, fine tennis courts and many other attracftions, and a 
future. Frederic B. Angell 



Rent paying and living like impersonal sardines stifled us 
and the clatter of the city wearied us. Dealing with a concern 
as reliable as the Government, all those ideas about curving 
streets and double sewers, open spaces and flowers, hollow^ 
tile and red tile, fourteen minutes to tow^n, struck a joyously 
responsive chord. That is the "why" we came to Forest Hills 
Gardens and the "how^" of it is just as pleasant. 

Mr. and Mrs. Raymond P. Kaighn 




A GARDEN ON GREENWAY TERRACE 

I came to Forest Hills Gardens in search of something differ- 
ent from the usual suburban development hoping to iind a 
well built, artistic house at a reasonable price, with plenty 
of open breathing space, in park'like surroundings. I w^anted 
an accessible community of intelligent and companionable 
people. I found them here. Edward N. Emerson 

The advertisements of the Sage Foundation Homes Company 
seemed to me to indicate its intention to establish a commu' 
nity combining all the advantages of the quiet country village 
with those of New York City. The personnel of the Com- 
pany's officers was proof that a sincere and effectual effort 
would be made to carry out that intention. 

William B. Davis 
I wanted a home near the green earth among knowable neigh' 
bors and likable children. I wanted quietness, a modest but 
tasteful house, freedom from the janitor, and relief from sub' 
way and elevated. I wanted these things near Broadway, and 
I found them here. Clarence Arthur Perry 




I chose Forest Hills Gardens 
for my home because, first — 
I preferred a home invest' 
ment to an apartment outlay. 
Second — equally convenient 
access to office,shops,theaters 
as compared with an apart' 
ment together with an easier 
mode of travel. Third — the 
name Sage seemed a guaran' 
tee that promise was equiva' 
lent to performance. 

Robert Anderson Pope 



THE R. A. POPE HOUSE 

Fifteen minutes in electric 
trains to tow^n; our station 
and its inviting approaches; 
the well paved streets and en- 
gaging street layout of the 
Gardens; the open country; 
the congenial people; the 
coolness in summer and the 
healthfulness ; and the beauty 
of the Pennsylvania Station. 
Mr. fe? Mrs. Harold Martin 




DOORWAY OF THE MARTIN HOUSE 




^a^ 



THE CHURCH IN THE GARDENS 

From the Architect's drawings 



The Church in the Gardens building, of Norman Gothic 
architecture, costing nearly $50,000, is the gift of Mrs. Russell 
Sage, the ground being purchased by the residents. 
The Church in the Gardens is Congregational in govern' 
ment and affiliation, as suitable to the purposes of a union 
church. The Pastor is the Rev. Robert J. Kent, D. D. Pastor 
Emeritus of the Lewis Avenue, in Brooklyn. 

I came to Forest Hills Gardens to be the leader and pastor 
of a Community Church. In order to be right on the job I 
purchased a house and became identified with the interests 
of the community. Now I want to stay here the rest of my 
life because I like the place, I like my house and I like the 
people. Robert J. Kent, D. D. 




GREENWAY TERRACE ON THE 4TH OF JULY 

Why we came to Forest Hills Gardens: ist, Accessibility to 
New York. 2nd, Full value for money invested. 3rd, Mini' 
mum chance of depreciation in value — excellent chance in' 
creased asset, money invested. 4th, Terms and conditions, 
limitations and restrictions, Sage Foundation Homes Co. 5th, 
Principally, confidence and knowledge of a really square deal 
by Mr. Demarest, General Manager, Sage Foundation Homes 
Co. 6th, Proof — built and occupy second house, little over 
two years. Austin K. Hanks 



Why we selected Forest Hills Gardens for our home: Near' 
ness to New York, nearness to Long Beach, paved streets, 
sewers, wise residential restrictions, an attractive community 
close to Forest Park with fresh air for children. Why we 
are glad we came is a longer story. 

Ernest M. Bristol 




GREENWAY TERRACE ON THE 4TH OF JULY 

Why? Because you can build an attractive house without a 
pseudo'Swiss chalet-bungalow on one side of you, w^hile a 
retired bar-keep on the other side puts up a Swedish'Renais' 
sance cottage with a Greco'Roman pergola and a catch-as 
catch'can roof. Because you can get out from town in time 
to play several sets of tennis at the largest and best Club in 
the country, and still get home in time for dinner. Because 
you do not need to have aHarlem dinner (i.e. stop at the salad 
course) every time you go to the theater. Because they don't 
make a road and then tear it up to lay pipes. It is planned 
right, built from the bottom up. Because they don't have a 
$50,000 sales office and a lo cent development. And one look 
at that Fourth of July celebration last year w^ould have 
brought me out to stay. And fifteen minutes to the Pennsyl' 
vania Station ! 

Warren 



An earnest desire to find an all'year 'round home near New 
York for our children led us to investigate Forest Hills Gar' 
dens. We were delighted with what we found and have be' 
come more pleased as the months have gone by, thanks to 
the Company's restrictions which have given us a commu' 
nity of delightful houses and neighbors. 

GuYON L. C. Earle 

My reasons for coming to Forest Hills Gardens are; ist, Dc 
sire for a home outside of New York City proper. 2nd, Close 
proximity to town (nearer than any other high class devel- 
opment). 3rd, Character of residents. 4th, Excellent electric 
train service. 5th, Artistic development of Forest Hills Gar- 
dens. 6th, Tennis on good courts. 

S. E. Davenport Jr. 




TEA GARDEN AT THE INN 




GROUP 33. From the Architect's plans 

One hundred and forty-two acres in the first tract bought in 
1909. 32 acres in the second tract where the Gardens Club 
is located. 31 acres in the third tract, 10 acres of which are 
now owned by the West Side Tennis Club. 



TRACT ONE, 


I9IO 


to 


I914 


142 acres divided as follows: 








2,000 lots 

6 I '4 miles streets 

Parks 






92 acres 

45 acres 

5 acres 




142 acres 


DEVELOPMENT COSTS 


GRADING STREETS 






$ 80,000 


PAVING 






200,000 


WATERMAINS 






70,000 


SANITARY SEWERS 






40,000 


STORM DRAINS 






62,000 


CURBS 






73,000 


GAS 






68,000 


CONDUITS 






70,000 


SIDEWALKS 






66,000 


PARKING PLACES 

Decorative features : 






90,000 


LAMP POSTS 








FOUNTAINS • 






100,000 



POOLS, PARKS J 



THIS Booklet, the spontaneous expression by the villagers 
of their local satisfaction, has been arranged by Frederic W. 
GouDY at the suggestion and ^vith the co-operation of Will 
Phillip Hooper. Decorations and types designed by Mr. 
GouDY and set by Bertha M. Goudy at the Village Press, 
Forest Hills Gardens, New York, in April, 191 5. 




LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 



002 656 459 1 



Hollinger 

pH 8.5 

Mill Run F3..1719 



